Hartford Family Zinfandel Russian River Valley Old Vine 2014

A century ago, when the vineyards used in this wine were planted, immigrant farmers tried to replicate the hearty reds of home. They planted grapes they could ferment together: Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah and Carignan. Don and Jennifer Hartford were only looking for a house when they bought this property in 1991, but they fell in love with old-vine Zin. Winemaker Jeff Stewart made this red from lots not used in the winery’s single-vineyard Zins: Hartford, Dina’s and Highwire. Stewart used indigenous yeast in small open-top fermentors and aged the wine nine months in French oak, about 40 percent new.

Tasting Note

Plump and fleshy, with a dense core of focused tannins and lively acidity. Aromas of ripe black raspberry, anise and licorice open to layered, slightly jammy flavors of black cherry, blueberry pie and smoky cracked pepper. Drink now through 2024.—Tim Fish